Falia Reviews

SHOT Show 2012

2012-01-25T19:59:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

I just attended my first SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada... It was alot of fun and alot of walking, but I'm finally home and I've got a bad case of the flu. Time for lots of rest of my part.

I uploaded a couple brief SHOT Show video clips to YouTube that I took with my little digital camera, but I also took some HD footage at the Flashbang holsters and Gun Tote'n Mamas booths which shows some of their new women's products that are coming out in 2012. Unfortunately my current laptop will not work with HD files, so along with waiting to get better, I'm also waiting on a new laptop which should be arriving within the next week or two. Then I will get those videos up, I promise! As long as this new laptop arrives & works, that means all of my future vids will be in high definition as well. :)

A few photos from SHOT Show 2012 will have to suffice for now -

Lisa Looper, of Flashbang Holsters:

Gun Tote'n Mamas Gun Purses:

Painted sky ceiling in the Venetian Hotel:

A gun that caught my eye! The SIG 1911 Spartan:

Wishing You All a Very Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T15:36:00.001-05:00

Site Re-Vamp

2011-11-29T22:00:00.001-05:00

It's coming up on three years since I originally started this blog, and I'm continually amazed at and thankful for how supportive most everyone is who stops by to read about my thoughts, experiences, and information. I more than appreciate all of the comments and messages I have gotten thus far and all the ones that continue to trickle in. Thank you all!
So much has changed in three years, and therefore I plan to make some layout and content changes to this website, gearing it more towards sharing firearms/gear/survival/preparedness/canning/knitting type information as opposed to its previous van-travelling focus. Firearms and vehicles are not a combo that works well together, so my life has been gradually turning in a different direction.

Please bear with me as I update this page and get it jam-packed with gun/gear photos, new survival/preparedness information, reviews, and more. :)

Bug-Out-Bags & Survival Kits - General Info & Links

2010-12-12T21:29:00.033-05:00

As a female who is constantly trying to become more prepared, let me try and give you my personal take on survival kits & bug-out-bags. I will eventually do a post that tells the exact contents of what I keep in my own bug-out-bag, EDC bag, vehicle kit, and mini-survival tin, but not quite yet. I want to start off with some basic survival kit acronyms, considerations, and links to get you started thinking about your own kit.

When you do your own Internet searches on bug-out-bags & survival kits for the first time, you may start out a little confused & overwhelmed - and rightfully so. There are many lists of survival kit essentials and suggestions, along with many different terms for basically the same stuff:

BOB - Bug Out Bag, Bail Out Bag, Bug Out Box
GO Bag
GOOD Bag - "Get Out Of Dodge" Bag
72-hr Kit
Ditch Kit
PERK - Personal Emergency Relocation Kit
EDC - Every Day Carry
GHB - Get Home Bag
Mini Survival Kit, Survival Tin, Pocket Tin
Survival Kit
INCH Bag - "I'm Never Coming Home" Bag
BOV - Bug Out Vehicle
BOL - Bug Out Location
Vehicle Kit, Car Kit, Car BOB

So many different names, sizes, types, abbreviations, uses, and contents, and yet the concepts are all basically the same - To help aid in one's comfort and survival, should some sort of un-forseen emergency occur.

Being prepared, or having a survival mindset, can range from simply having some extra items on hand at home (blankets, batteries, ammo, soap, food) or having a small bag of emergency supplies in your trunk, to creating a full-blown "bug-out-bag" backpack-kit that you can grab and take with you at a moment's notice.

Everyone has differerent needs, different locations, different belongings, and different opinions, so everyone's survival kit is going to be different! There is no *PERFECT* bug-out-bag, although there are some essential survival categories that should be considered when making one, including: shelter, food/water, warmth (fire & clothing), light, first-aid, communication/signaling, personal protection, and navigation.

BOB, BOV, & BOL

Bug-Out "Bags, Vehicles, & Locations"

A "bug-out-bag" (BOB) is generally a bare-minimum, 3-day emergency bag. You put one together in order to make it from point A to point B (perhaps on-foot, in a worst case scenario) and survive for at least seventy-two hours. It is meant to go along with (complement) your seperate EDC items and your mini-survival-kit.

Why might you need to have a BOB in your home?
A number of reasons! - house fire, family emergency, natural disaster (flood, hurricane, earthquake), nuclear fallout, zombie invasion...

Why might you need to have an emergency kit in your vehicle?
What if - your vehicle runs out of gas out in the middle of nowhere where there is no cellphone reception, you're stranded in a blizzard and need to survive inside your vehicle for an indefinite amount of time, roads are blocked due to a natural disaster & you need to abandon your vehicle/head out on foot, your vehicle breaks down and you can't make it home, or you are just stuck in bottle-neck traffic for several hours due to an extreme accident.

Plan to have some sort of bug-out-bag/emergency kit with you NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE. This may mean having a 3-day BOB packed and ready-to-go inside your home, while ALSO having an emergency kit packed inside your vehicle. Having just one 72-hour ULTIMATE BOB that you take with you everywhere is probably not that feasible - it may be too big for EDC (every day carry), and if you do take it with you everywhere you go, you will probably want to leave it inside your vehicle at times, which may not be good in extreme heat OR extreme cold (depending on what's inside your bag). I left my complete BOB in my van all last summer and candles melted, batteries lost their charge, food quality was potentially diminished, etc. Same goes for the wintertime - Now that it is below freezing outside, I have taken everything out of my vehicle that may freeze or be negatively affected (water, stove fuel (butane/denatured alcohol), batteries, first-aid supplies). Instead, I keep those items in a smaller EDC bag that I grab every-time I head-out in my vehicle. Getting stranded somewhere up here in the winter is not only likely, but very possible. I have run out of gas and been stranded along-side the road in the middle of a blizzard before, so I have no doubt that it could happen again.

When making your own bug-out-bag & emergency kits, consider both your potential location when an emergency may strike and also where you physically plan to keep your kit. Perhaps play devil's advocate and try making up your own worst-case scenarios - They can help you to become better prepared and aid you in making a more realistic kit OR they can help to test how prepared you currently are.

Ask yourself a variety of questions:

* Where are you most of the time, and is your survival kit with you there?
If it isn't with you, why isn't it? Is it too bulky? Do you not want to leave certain items inside your cold or hot vehicle?

* Are you going to keep your BOB at home, in your vehicle, or both?
Perhaps you will decide to have several survival bags: a smaller EDC bag, a seperate vehicle kit, and an additional (bigger) BOB at home.

* Is your home BOB ready to grab & go? Or are there some items you plan to grab or throw in at the last minute? (handgun, cell-phone, more comfortable hiking boots, long underwear you want to actually put on before you head out, etc.) Have those items nearby or have them written down on a list that is next to your BOB.

* Where do you plan to bug-out to?
Will you be "bugging-in" (staying home OR trying to get home), because that is where your preps/supplies are? Or will you be heading to an alternate location (survival retreat, relative's house, etc.)? Even if you plan to use your home as your survival retreat (and don't plan to leave your home in an emergency situation), you should still consider keeping a packed BOB in your home that you can quickly grab to head to your BOV or an alternate BOL in case you must leave your home (nuclear fallout, natural disaster, etc).

* Is your family prepared to bug-out without you? Does your family have an agreed upon BOL and back-up BOL in case you are not with them when an emergency strikes? Does your family know how to use all their gear in case you become seperated?

* Most likely, you will be able to drive in a bug-out-scenario, but what if you aren't? Do you only have a plastic tote in your trunk, or do you have a backpack with you as well, so you can easily leave your vehicle and head out on-foot? Your vehicle may run out of gas, roads may be blocked, or, depending on the emergency, you may be staying off the roads for the sake of not being seen.

* What items would you really need to get you from point A to point B?

As for the general term "Survival Kit," I've often heard people use it to refer to their 72-hr "bug-out-bag," their smaller "vehicle kit" OR their tiny pocket-suvival-tin. Wikipedia considers a "Survival Kit" to be a more long-term kit, containing items & tools that can be used to provide for all of our basic needs: shelter against the elements, food/water, warmth, first-aid, signaling/communication device, etc. Personally, though, I cover all-those bases in my 72-hour bag, so I'm still not totally sure how (or if) it truly differs from a BOB

Also, instead of packing a 72-hour pack, some people instead pack an "INCH" Bag ("I'm Never Coming Home" bag) - In other words, some people decide to pack their BOB like they are never coming home, while others only pack their BOB with some simple essentials to get them back home, to their BOL, or to their BOV. Some people don't find it realistic to carry everything they need on their back, while others like to plan for those worst-case scenarios. It all comes down to a matter of preference.

My BOB personally falls more in the middle of a 72-hr pack and an INCH bag, and I tend to keep it indoors, wherever I spend the most time. On top of my BOB, I also have a vehicle kit in my trunk, an EDC pack that comes & goes from my vehicle with me (items that should not be exposed to extreme cold or heat), and a mini survival tin in my purse.

More of my own random thoughts on Bug-Out-Bag considerations:

* You might make a BOB and let it sit for MONTHS (or years!) without going thru it - Don't let that happen! Go through it every once in awhile - Check all of your supplies and re-evaluate what you need periodically, because situations may have changed (medications, summer vs. winter items, etc.). Be sure to rotate your food rations and check expiration dates on food & medical supplies. Pay attention to how you are storing your BOB (hot/cold location), and make sure none of your items have melted or frozen. Spare batteries might now be dead, candles may have melted, medical supplies may have frozen. Do your backup clothes still fit comfortably? If you've gained or lost weight since you packed your BOB, you don't want your emergency clothes to be uncomfortable on a potential 3-day trek on-foot.

* Do you know how to use all your gear (cookstove, water-filter, tent, etc.)? If you are another female, and your husband or boyfriend helped you to get your BOB together, make sure that you are personally familiar with everything in your kit, just in case he is not around when you need to bug-out. If your spouse/partner knows how to start a fire, use your new gear, or set-up camp using paracord & a tarp, BUT you don't, that is NO GOOD.

* Have you field tested all of your gear? Don't just buy survival items for your BOB and stick them in your bag without opening them or giving them a trial run. Is your sleep system warm enough? Really go out camping (in each season) and test your entire setup. Maybe you didn't realize that you need a sleeping pad between your body and the cold ground, or maybe you forgot about the possibility of a thunderstorm & your gear or sleeping bag gets soaked! Perhaps a field-test will remind you to consider items such as a goretex sleeping bag bivy, poncho, pack cover, or packable rainjacket. On your trial-run camping trip, maybe you will realize that you forgot something major, but small, such as a flashlight, lighter, paracord, extra pair of socks, or a knife. Maybe you even forgot your sleeping bag, because it is filled with goose-down & you don't want to leave it compressed inside your BOB. I actually had the unique opportunity to stay in a Yurt in the middle of the woods, in the middle of winter last year, for about 5 days. All I took with me was my BOB, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had everything I needed. :) It feels so good when you get it right.

* Really consider HOW your BOB is packed/organized. You don't want something poking you in the back when you walk, and you want certain items to be easily accessible (water, first aid kit, cellphone, knife). In the wintertime, I personally choose to keep my comfortable hiking boots and long-underwear OUTSIDE my pack, so I can quickly throw them on before I grab my bag and go. In a blizzard it makes more sense to stay indoors, but IF for some unknown reason I must bug-out into a blizzard (to hypothetically get to a relative's house that is 3 days away), and I'm going to be on-foot, where am I going to be able to stop and put on my long-undies? There might be people around (urban setting), and it would also be freezing cold outside - the least useful place for my long underwear at that point would be the bottom of my pack.

* Also consider the colors of your visible BOB items (pack, sleeping gear, tarp, pack cover, poncho, clothes) & how well they blend in for your area (rural natural location or busy downtown urban city location). You may or may not want to be seen, depending on the situation. I personally believe that most likely, if I have to bug-out, I will not want to be seen, so my BOB is planned around blending in & not standing out. Nothing in my BOB screams "Over Here! I'm a visible target!" I go for olive greens, browns, camo, and earth tones. As much as I like camo, though, I don't choose to have ALL camo stuff, because in a bug-out-situation, I'd rather appear to be a harmless "civilian backpacker" rather than potential military. Also, depending on the bug-out scenario, you MAY want someone to be able to find you, so you should plan accordingly. Perhaps have a bright red/orange bandana in your BOB (along with your camo one), and maybe throw in a bright pack cover or a brightly lit roll of electrical-type tape.

* Are you strong enough to physically carry your prepared pack on a 3-day trek? Take your BOB on a test hike! Make it a fun family outing. If your BOB is uncomfortably heavy, you'd be better off lightening your load than hauling more than you can handle. You may decide to substitute some lighter items and take out unnecessary items. You may even decide you need a different sized pack altogether, because your torso length makes that particular bag incredibly uncomfortable. To save on weight and space, really consider packing items with multiple uses, such as a bandana or a camo poncho (used as a raincoat, pack cover, tent, or sleeping bag bivy).

* When you pick the actual pack to carry all your items in, make sure it is the correct size for your torso length and comfortable enough for you to carry for a long distance. Also make sure the color of your BOB pack is pretty natural/neutral. I tried out the military Medium Alice pack ("All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment") for awhile, because it is a very inexpensive, commonly available, popular BOB choice, but it just does NOT work for my body size. I tried adjusting it in every possible manner and tried various amounts of weight inside the pack (I even had help!), but it was a no-go on the Alice Pack for me. Also consider the cubic-volume size capacity for your pack. Something like 1500 cu. will probably be too small for your BOB, and something like 4000 cu. is probably too much! 2500 cu. is a very common BOB size, but, again, needs vary from person to person. For my 72-hr winter BOB, I currently use a women's North Face Crestone 60 backpacking pack, which has a 60 liter capacity (or approx. 3650 cu.). It is very spacious and very comfortable. I bought it back several years ago when it came in a dark "crocodile" green color. I also bought a very lightweight, packable green "silicone rain cover" to go over it when it rains.

* What you put in your BOB really depends on where you live and what season it is. For example, In January, someone in Key West or Naples, Florida will consider some different BOB contents than someone living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Likewise, someone living in downtown Chicago will pack/prepare differently than someone who lives far out in the wilderness... Bag content considerations that vary by season & location may include: dust mask, eye protection, heavy duty gortex winter boots, comfortable hiking shoes, a high-caliber handgun for wild-animal protection, mosquito netting, sunblock, or sunglasses.

* There are many little decisions to make when choosing BOB items, depending on the weight of the pack you want to carry (& are able to), what gear you already own (& how much money you want to spend), and personal preference. There are many different options and variations of the following:

water and/or purification methods (canteen or Nalgene of actual water, water filter with ceramic element, Steripen UV purifier, iodine tablets, clorox bleach, eyedropper, & sealable baggie, pot, fuel, & lightweight stove for boiling water, etc.)

sleep setups (tent, tent footprint/rainfly, sleeping bag, poncho, tarp, goretex bivy, hammock, Thermarest inflatable sleeping pad, military closed-cell sleeping mat, space blanket, etc.)

food options (fishing/hunting gear, MREs, Mainstay Emergency Food Ration Bars, Datrex food bars, snack items, a portable stove with fuel and food items that can be cooked, etc.)

staying dry (spare clothes, raincoat, pack cover, poncho, tarp, etc.)

fire-starting (waterproof matches, lighter, fresnal lens, flint & steel, Ultimate Survival Technologies "Sparkie" or "Wetfire tinder," cotton balls rubbed with vaseline & stored in a film canister, votive candle, birthday candles, heavy-duty foil for windscreen, etc.)

cutting wood for shelter or fire (hatchet, folding saw, wire-saw, machete, etc.)

* There are so many items to consider, and every person will be different on what they want! For instance, you could easily get by without a portable backpacking stove or a home-made alcohol stove if you only pack Mainstay Emergency Food Bars, BUT I've got a compact backpacking cookset, I prefer to boil water as my water purification method, snow could easily be melted for drinking water in the winter-time, and I would personally find a cup of green tea to be quite calming and warming in a cold, stressful, bug-out situation. So for me, a little penny alcohol stove (and homemade coat-hanger pot stand) is part of my BOB. Someone else may just choose to have basic fire-starting tools. To each his own! There is much to consider. :-)

* Very basic BOB content ideas to consider and get you started!! --

Backpack that blends in with nature
fixed blade knife
smaller folding-blade knife
spork
multi-tool
flashlight (crank, shake, led flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries)
crank radio
100' of 550 paracord
sleep setup (not bright colors)
food, MREs, snacks, or Mainstay/Datrex Food-Ration bars
water & way to purify more
complete medical kit (I will be doing an ENTIRE post about this)
vitamins
IOSAT - potassium iodide
backup clothes, socks, shoes
hat, gloves
fire-starting supplies
compass
rag or washcloth
packtowel
small bottle of campsuds
money ($100 per day, in small bills)
ID, passport
USB flashdrive that contains scans of important documents & family photos
bandana
whistle
rain-gear
cookset, stove, fuel, pot-scrubbie
binoculars
gun, ammo, gun-cleaning supplies (bore-snake & small bottle of cleaner/lube)
paper & pen (Rite-in-the-Rain all-weather pen & paper)
space blanket
folding saw or axe
barter items
mini sewing kit (dental floss, needles, safety pins)
folding shovel
toilet paper
ETC.

POCKET SURVIVAL TINS & MINI SURVIVAL KITS

"Survival Tins," "Mini Survival Kits," and "Pocket Survival Tins" are intended for the EDC (every day carry) of small, useful survival items that are the hardest to improvise in an emergency, but are crucial to your survival. They are often made with Altoids containers or film canisters, they can be carried in a purse, glovebox, or pocket, and they can contain a wide VARIETY of items. Although very small, they can contain any of the following useful items that help with:

fire-starting (warmth, light, & signaling) - waterproof matches, lighter, fresnal lens, heavy-duty foil for windscreen, birthday candle, etc.

obtaining food & purifying water - fish hooks, lead balls, & fishing line (or dental floss), snare wire, water-purification/Iodine tablets, Clorox-bleach in a sealed straw, small sealable container for holding water (such as a "breast milk bag" or a tiny ziplock), bullion, tea bag, piece of hard candy/glucose tablet, etc.

first aid - bandaid/butterfly-closure, alcohol prep pad, antiseptic packet, sewing needle, Ibuprofen in a sealed straw (melt ends shut with lighter), etc.

navigation - mini button-compass

shelter - mini wire saw (for cutting)

other - whistle, mirror, small flashlight, knife, tweezers, safety pin, duct-tape, information card (perhaps with fishing knot info), etc.

More info on mini survival tins:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_survival_kits

http://www.equipped.com/prsnlkit.htm

http://www.donrearic.com/survivalkit.html

VERY HELPFUL Bug-Out-Bag LINKS:

WIKI "Bug-Out-Bag" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag
WIKI "Survival Kit" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_kit

BOB Item List: http://civiliandefenseforce.com/bugoutbagitemlist.html
NeilStrauss.com BOB contents: http://www.neilstrauss.com/fliesian/bugout.html
Rural Revolution BOB list: http://www.rural-revolution.com/2010/12/bug-out-bags.html
The Big List: http://www.survival-center.com/dl-list/dl1-toc.htm
Photos of Your BOB: http://thesurvivalpodcast.com/forum/index.php?topic=1508.0
The Bug-Out-Bag PDF: http://tomsebooks.com/BugoutBag.pdf
2012 Supplies BOB List: http://www.2012supplies.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1788

TheBugOutGuy.com List: http://www.thebugoutguy.com/bugoutbagAM.htm
Economic Collapse Survival 72-hr kit: http://www.economiccollapsesurvival.com/bug-out-bag/
Survival News Online BOB info: http://www.survivalnewsonline.com/2010/03/16/survival-plan-2-bugout-bag/

TheSurvivalMom.com:
72-Hr Kit - http://thesurvivalmom.com/2010/03/28/dont-leave-home-without-it-the-vehicle-72-hour-kit/

SecurityWhip.com BOB info: http://www.securitywhip.com/2010/08/06/bug-out-bag/

DefensiveCarry "What's in your BOB?": http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?115192-What-s-in-your-Bug-Out-Bag

One guy's vehicle kit/get home bag- http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=12849
One guy's INCH bag: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread452126/pg1

Backpacking/Hiking survival essentials: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

Survival Checklist: http://www.survivalgearsource.com/SurvivalInformation/SurvivalChecklist/tabid/115/Default.aspx

ZombieSquad BOB info: http://zombiehunters.org/zss/?p=15
ZombieSquad BOB additional info: http://zombiehunters.org/wiki/index.php/BOB
ZombieSquad "Preparing Your BOB" PDF: http://zombiehunters.org/flyer/ZS-bob-trifold.pdf

Recommended BOB list: http://www.survivalistssite.com/~canuck/downloads/bob_list.pdf

INCH bags: http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?58399-I.N.C.H.-Kits-(I-m.Never.Coming.Home.)...whats-in-yours-or-what-would-be-in-yours

GO Bag ideas: http://www.tennesseepreppersnetwork.com/2009/09/guest-post-good-bag-how-to-ideas.html

72-hr kit ideas: http://www.tennesseepreppersnetwork.com/2009/01/baby-steps-72-hour-kit.html

Family Survival Blog BOB essentials: http://familysurvivalblog.com/bug-out-bags/
Prepper e-book: http://www.prepperbook.com/
SurvivalCache.com (7 Types of Gear to have in your BOB): http://survivalcache.com/bug-out-bag/

The Art of the BOB: http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/the-art-of-the-bug-out-bag/
Survival Gear & BOBs: http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-gear-bugoutbags/

knol Bugging Out! : http://knol.google.com/k/bug-out-bag-bob#

GearPatrol.com Ultimate Survival Kit: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2009/05/04/bug-out-bag-aka-ultimate-survival-kit/2/

Bug-Out-Bag Quest Blog: http://bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com/:
One Man's Bug-Out Bag: http://bugoutbagquest.blogspot.com/2010/12/one-mans-bug-out-bag.html

Crusader BOB Contents: http://gundoctor.wordpress.com/personal-preparedness/bug-out-gag-contents/

Several BOB lists: http://civiliandefenseforce.com/training.html

Build Your Own BOB PDF: http://web.comporium.net/~klj2324/BOB-SurvivalKit.pdf

Ezine BOB Checklist: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bug-Out-Bag-Checklist---Make-Sure-You-Have-All-the-Bug-Out-Bag-Essentials!&id=4023102

Survival Magazine Ultimate BOB List: http://survivormagazine.blogspot.com/2008/01/ultimate-bob-bug-out-bag.html

34 BOB Essentials: http://frugaldad.com/2010/02/10/bug-out-bag-essentials/
Fundamentals of a BOB: http://hideawayoutdoors.com/archives/195

thesurvivalistblog.net:
BOB gun selection: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/survival-guns/selecting-guns-for-bug-out-bag/
BOB item list: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/bug-out-bag/
Home Survival Kit: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/basic-survival-gear/
101 Barter Items: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/uncategorized/list-101barter-items/
Thoughts on BOBs & supplies: http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/this-n-that/guest-post-thoughts-on-bug-out-bags-and/

BugOutSurvival.com:
Bug-Out Locations: http://www.bugoutsurvival.com/2009/12/bol-bug-out-location.html

BOB Checklist: http://www.bugoutsurvival.com/2008/08/sample-bug-out-bag-checklist.html

Q&A about Guns and Concealed Carry for Women

2010-09-21T20:37:00.010-04:00

Jeanette over at www.gunholsters.com/blog asked me if I would participate in a quick Q&A "Interview," on her site, so I said absolutely! I am going to repost the information here, for all those who may find it interesting or helpful...

You clean houses for a living. Do you carry on the job?

Sometimes - It depends on the season (summer or winter), and also whether or not I will be cleaning the house alone or not. If someone is home while I'm cleaning, I usually lock my gun in my vehicle since I don't want to advertise to my clients that I carry a gun, and it really becomes much more visible when I am crouching and bending alot. If I know I will be cleaning at a house alone, I do tend to wear my IWB or OWB holster. I also carry more while cleaning in the winter, since in the summer I wear shorts alot, and I haven't figured out a good shorts method of carry yet. It gets HOT cleaning in the summer, especially if people don't have air conditioning in their home. I would REALLY like to carry more in the summer months, so I'm soon going to try out the Smart Carry Holster as a shorts option.
How did you become interested in firearms and holsters?

I guess I first became interested in firearms because some of my guy friends were really into guns, and they made me kind of curious. I didn't know ANYTHING about guns at first. I didn't know that a 12 gauge was a shotgun, I didn't know the difference between slugs or buckshot, or even what different size calibers there were for handguns... I remember when I first got online and starting researching the basics... I googled the difference between types of ammo (wadcutters, full-metal jackets, jacketed hollow points, etc) and also the actual definition of a handgun, pistol, revolver, and semi-automatic! I had no clue. The more I started learning, the more my curiosity turned into a feeling of necessity, like I needed to learn about guns & how to shoot in case of an emergency! I felt ignorant about guns and instead wanted to be an informed American citizen who could responsibly exercise her 2nd Ammendment right to keep and bear firearms. After I had learned a lot (from online research and also my male friends), I felt such an urgency to take a CCW training course and get my concealed carry weapon permit (while it was still legal to do so), because that right could get taken away from us at any time. Then after getting my CPL, I realized that there wasn't much info online for women, helping with concealed carry options & such, so that is what has compelled me to now share what I've learned (about guns that I prefer and different holsters) with other women! Not many women carry, and I believe that women are the ones who need to carry the most...

Why do you think women are afraid of guns?

Well, probably because they don't know much about them and aren't familiar with them. Guns can be extremely loud. The recoil can be shocking if you aren't prepared for it. Many guys pressure their wives/girlfriends to shoot, and then shooting seems more scary & forced instead of being a desire to learn to shoot. Guns are powerful weapons that can kill people, and that can be something to fear! The thing is, guns don't kill people. People kill people. Saying that guns kill people is like saying that matches commit arson. A gun is a tool that can be used to harm, but it is also a tool that can be used to protect. Once a woman is taught the proper way to handle a gun and check to see if it is unloaded, I think she loses alot of the fear that she had previously. With knowledge of gun use, my fear turned more into a respect for the gun. (the fundamental National Rife Association rules for safe gun handling: Always point the gun pointed in safe direction, Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use) Also, even if a woman isn't necessarily AFRAID of guns, I just don't think women are naturally interested in guns because guns tend to be more a "guy thing." Not many girls round up their girl friends and say, hey, lets go out shooting! Even when I get together with my girl friends, we tend to go shopping or pamper ourselves with foot soaks and facial masks. I think if a woman doesn't have a male friend who is interested in guns, it can be hard for her to get interested in guns on her own. It sure does help to have someone who can teach you about firearms and let you shoot some of their guns to start out. Hopefully more women start to recognize that guns are not something to fear, and a higher rate of gun ownership leads to a safer society. A quote comes to mind by Robert Heinlein - "An armed society is a polite society." If you are a beginner shooter, however, just remember to start out with a small caliber (22) and work your way up from there as you get more comfortable and want to practice with more power. You don't want to start out with a caliber that might be too powerful for you (45), because that might cause you to develop a bad flinching habit.

Why is concealed carry important to you?

Concealed carry is important to me because I value my life and the lives of others. I want to be able to defend myself, my friends, my family, and even strangers, if I ever need to. Hopefully I will never have to use my gun, but I would rather carry it and never need it, than need it and not have it. This question reminds me of something I just read in my American Rifleman magazine - "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away." I do not want to put my life in the hands of police. I want to always be ready and prepared for the worst, and I want others to be prepared too.

What is your ideal carry outfit?

Teva Mush flip flops, comfy American Eagle jeans, black leather belt, IWB Crossbreed Supertuck holster, a tanktop, and a zip-up hoodie over top. I am all about comfort and relaxation. :-)

What do you have to say to those who have commented on your videos, objectifying you rather than seeing your videos as informative?

You know, it really does get extremely tiring and frustrating for me. There really are alot of perverts out there who comment that they just "turn off the sound" while watching my videos, along with the many sexist men who don't even believe that women should carry guns. I've gotten some EXTREMELY vulgar comments and it makes me sick, sad, and angry, all at the same time! The main reason I have started making gun-related videos is to help other women who want to conceal carry, but struggle with similar wardrobe problems, so that they feel more comfortable in their ability to carry their firearm with them. Believe me, if I could make some of my videos available to only women, I would! It sure would save me a lot of headache. That is just not feasible, however, and I feel that this is a topic that the Internet (and society) is lacking in regards to providing helpful female information. Women's clothes, for the most part, are completely dysfunctional/impractical when it comes to concealing a gun. Our clothes are cute, yes, but our pockets are all extremely tiny! Flattering pants are fitted, leaving not much room to hide a gun, and often our pants are lacking belt-loops. Skinny jeans are back in style, dresses & skirts pose a challenge, and what about in the summer? Many girls like shorts & tanktops and don't want to look frumpy and out-of-place, especially for the sole purpose of carrying a gun that will probably (hopefully) never get used. Obviously men are going to find my videos on Youtube, and many of them will gawk, stare, hit replay, or make lewd and sexist remarks. As much as I would love to whack those guys over the head with a frying pan to knock some sense into them, I will just continue to bite my tongue and hit "delete." As hard as they can be to ignore, I know it's not even worth it to give them my time of day. The 2nd ammendment applies to BOTH men and women, and it is important to recognize that there are alot of challenges that us women face in the world of concealed carry. Thankfully, I do get enough positive feedback (from both men and women) that I know my videos are helping some other people out there, and that is what makes it worthwhile for me to leave them up on Youtube. I do wish that other women would post videos showing how they conceal carry, too, since I am not that thrilled to be one of very few females out there with this type of video. Maybe if more women started posting concealed-carry videos, then more men would accept the fact that women and guns DO mix. :)

New YouTube Holster Video (for the ladies out there)

2010-09-17T17:41:00.008-04:00

I just spent a couple days straight sitting in front of my computer (and borrowing a mirror) so I could finally upload a new video to YouTube. Woo-hoo! My eyes are fried, my butt is sore from sitting, and I could use some fresh air, but it was well worth it. I'd been meaning to do that for 6 months.... In addition to making a new video, I have also re-done my other holster video. If you watched it the first time, please check it out again, as it has changed a bit. It is now 3 minutes longer.

Ruger LCR Concealed Carry Holsters & Outfits for Women (new video)

If interested in the thigh holster, please contact Terry at clamentfamily@yahoo.com

Crossbreed Supertuck IWB Holster Review

(new, revised video)

For more info on Crossbreed hosters, please go directly to http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic Rider Course

2010-08-10T00:29:00.012-04:00

I passed!!! Not with flying colors, but I passed none-the-less. I now have my motorcycle endorsement and am legal to ride, on the road, by myself. You can bet I am just ITCHING to buy a motorcycle and am keeping my eye out on Craigslist... I really want a bike, but I still need lots and lots and lots of practice. I mean, really, how good can I be after only 8 hours of riding?

I will try to share a little bit about the MSF Course I took this past weekend, but I am having trouble typing b/c I am wearing a brace on my right wrist. I sprained it today helping someone move a heavy hide-a-bed couch. THANKFULLY it happened the day after my riding test. I doubt I could have passed the course with a sprained wrist. I barely passed as it was, simply b/c I have performance issues when people watch me. I did way better on the practice rounds than I did on the final, one-shot attempts. Darn nerves.

The MSF Basic Rider Course was a 3-day class and cost only $25.00. It teaches you how to ride a motorcycle, starting from square one, and they have them all over the country. The only previous riding experience I had was maybe 3 hours on a little 90cc dirtbike, so I was extremely nervous, and I seriously considered dropping out of the class even though I had pre-registered... but ultimately (thankfully), my fear was shadowed a bit by my strong desire to ride, and I became more and more excited to learn as the class weekend got closer.

Day 1: Friday, 5pm - 9pm (classroom)

The first day of the course was in the evening, and it was all classroom learning. I felt immediately relieved because out of the 20 students, about 75% were females! Everyone got a copy of the MSF Basic Rider Handbook, and the class was split into 3 learning/discussion groups. Each group got to pick a name, so some chick in my group named us the "Speed Demonettes." lol. For the next 4 hours, we proceeded to read thru the Rider handbook, watch some videos, and answer a list of 126 study questions. The topics included: types of motorcyces, accepting risk, protective gear, pre-ride inspection, routine maintenance, motorcycle controls, range rules & hand signals, street strategies, common riding situations, braking, swerving, etc... It was information overload, and we went thru it all pretty fast... After only 4 hours, my brain felt fried. The instructor then split the class into 2 riding groups for the next 2 days (10 students per riding class). My group was supposed to meet bright and early at the airport parking lot at 8am... We were supposed to arrive 25 min early, and if we were late, we would be kicked-out of the class.

Day 2: Saturday, 8am-10am (riding), 12:30-2:30 (riding), and 4:30-6pm (classroom)

It was a beautiful sunny morning, but my nerves were defintely present when I pulled into the airport parking lot and got suited up. We were instructed to wear long sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, eye protection, a DOT approved helmet, and over-the-ankle boots. Most of the girls in my group were also beginners, but my stomach felt a little nauseous while we were all standing around waiting for the riding to begin. We were able to choose our own motorcycle out of about 10 different ones (dual sports, cruisers, and standard street motorcycles, mostly 250s), so I selected a standard Suzuki TU250X.

It was such a new motorcycle that it didn't have a fuel valve or a choke, which made things easier for me I suppose. I picked it because it had a very low seat height (30.5 inches), I liked the burgundy/red color, and it just looked pretty darn slick. We all mounted our bikes, and man, 310 + pounds of weight felt like alot to have directly underneath me. The weight of the bike was pretty intimidating since I weigh about 115.

Before starting the bikes, the 2 riding instructors had us find all the controls, and then we walked the bikes like 1/4 mile out to the airport riding area. It was a good workout for my hips, I could feel the burn! Then we finally started the bikes (side stand up, fuel valve to ON if you had one, turned the ignition key to ON, put it in Neutral, engine shut-off switch to ON, held in the clutch, and pushed the electric start button). We put them into 1st gear right away and spent a while just using the clutch in the friction zone to walk the bikes back and forth & then speed-walk them across the parking lot. Within minutes we were already riding back and forth across the lot, and then we were riding around in a single file line. It was a very fast paced class, but I will say that the Instructors were VERY nice and VERY good at explaining what to do. I only stalled my motorcycle twice on the first day :) One instructor said that the most stalls in a row (during one of his classes) was 37! Yikes. I would've been beyond embarrassed.

We did a lot of practicing in our 4 hours of ride time on Saturday. We were doing quick stops, weaving in and out of cones (just pressing on the handlebars, not actually turning them), going around curves (slow before the curve, look where you want to go, press the handlebar in the direction you want to go, roll on the throttle) and also physically turning the handlebars to maneuver thru slow-speed off-set cones. Overall I did pretty good on day one. I got complimented on my quick stops and was used as a positive example for my head turns for looking thru the curves. It was a day of extreme concentration... the most mentally exhausting day I had experienced in a very very long time (perhaps ever). It was fun, challenging, scary, and exhilerating, all at the same time.

After the Saturday practice rididng, we all met back in the classroom to take the 50 question multiple choice test, based around the 126 study questions we had gone thru on Friday. It was a very easy test. I got 100%, along with almost everyone else in the class. The hardest part was still yet to come.

Day 3: Sunday, 8am-10am (riding), 12:30-2:30 (riding), 2:30-2:45pm (riding test)

It was raining when we all showed up to ride Sunday morning, so we all had rain jackets on and our face shields down. (The previous day I wore my face shield up, with sunglasses) We were all pretty nervous about the wet pavement. I wish we would have started out slow and done a bit of refreshing what we had learned the previous day, but nope, we just got on the motorcycles and immediately started weaving in and out of cones. I did good on the weave, but I was really rusty on the sharp corners. I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed, because I kept stalling the motorcycle and was doing worse than I had the previous day. It was frustrating, and I was losing any confidence that I had built up on Saturday. Plus, they were giving us harder things to do. We had to use clutch control in the friction zone to do a figure-eight (two immediate U-turns) inside a tiny box, stop quickly in a curve (straightening our motorcycle upright first in the curve), drive over 2x4s (rolling on the throttle quickly and rising off the seat) to simulate obstacles in the road, different narrow and wide cornering maneuvers, sudden swerving (quickly getting into 2nd gear and then the instructor would quickly point left or right at the last minute), stopping as quickly as possible (I had one front tire skid! oops), and various other exercises...

For the final riding test, there were 4 parts, and everybody went one at a time (with everyone else watching):

1. Double U-turn in tiny box (figure-eight) (very slow, using clutch control)
2. High-speed swerve (timed, to make sure you were going fast enough before swerving)
3. Quick stop (getting up into 2nd gear quickly, passing thru 2 cones, and stopping using both brakes and downshifting to 1st gear as fast as possible) (timed and within a certain number of feet)
4. Cornering exercise (getting up into 2nd gear quickly, going around a curve, accelerating, slowing down before entering the next curve, looking thru the curve, pressing the handlebars in the direction of the curve, and rolling on the throttle thru the entire curve without hitting any cones or crossing any lines)

Scoring - You got points for anything you did wrong. Points = bad. You could get a maximum of 15 points and still pass, but if you got 16 points you would fail. You got points for things like not going the correct speed, going out of boundary lines, putting your feet down, stallling, failure to turn your head, failure to upshift or downshift, failure to stop quick enough, etc. Points could add up quickly... The only automatic failures were to either lay-down your bike OR to do something dangerous. We could only do each exercise one time for the final evaluation.

How did I do?

1. two U-turns in the tiny box. Although I did pretty darn perfect in practice (one guy who had been riding since 1983 was worried I would do it better than him on the test!), I BOMBED it on the test. I have performance issues with people watching me, and my clutch hand cramped up in the middle of it. I quickly released the clutch while I had the throttle up and lurched right out of the box and put my feet down. I will just call the whole exercise ugly. I got 8 points right off the bat. Not a good way to start the test. Surprisingly, I calmed down a bit. Doing so bad at first made me basically say F*ck it. I laughed at the fact that I did so bad and shrugged it off. I honestly knew I could do better, but one attempt was one attempt. Moving on.

2. High-speed swerve. The swerve actually took place directly after coming out of the messed-up figure-eight. After pulling out of the U-turn box, I had to quickly get into 2nd gear, speed up, swerve right between some cones (press right, then press left), and stop using both brakes & downshift at the same time. I did it perfectly even though I was still flustered from the figure-eight. Zero points gained on that.

3. Quick-stop. This was frustrating b/c I did this 95% perfect every time in practice. I have no idea why I stopped a foot too-far during the testing. Probably my nerves. 2 points gained for a not-fast-enough stop.

4. Cornering exercise. Although I turned my head properly, shifted properly, didn't go out of bounds, and I didn't run over any cones, I got 5 points for not going fast enough in the curve. That was honestly a surprise to me b/c I thought I was going fast enough. And isn't going too slow better than going too fast anyway?

Regardless, I got a total of 15 points. SO close to the border between pass and fail. I was relieved to pass, but also really hard on myself at first for being so close to failing until I realized a couple things..

1. I did way better in practice than I did on the test, and yet I still passed.

2. How often will I be doing a tiny figure-eight on a motorcycle in real life? A U-turn, yes, but a little figure eight withoug putting my feet down? Probably not a whole lot. The people in the class who had been riding for YEARS had trouble doing it. Plus, if I had done the figure-eight as decent as I had in practice, I would have only had 7 points total instead of 15.

3. I was a beginner rider! How good was I seriously supposed to be after only 8 hours of ride time?

I honestly am still having a hard time believing that I took this course, did all this stuff on a motorcycle, and passed. My entire class passed! (well, except one girl who was extremely timid and just couldn't get the hang of it).

It feels like a whirl-wind that I am so happy/proud to have accomplished. I just know that I need to get a motorcycle soon so that I don't forget what I've learned. Taking this class was well worth all the stress, fear, and nervousness, and I would recommend it to anyone. I think these courses are pretty much exactly the same all over the country, you just look for them at http://www.msf-usa.org/.

I have fully discovered that there is nothing like being on a motorcycle, and there is this new excitement erupting within me. I even met a girl in the class who I really meshed well with, so we programmed eachother into our phones as "biker buddy." I don't know quite how it is possible, but somehow I feel like a new person. More free from fear, capable of doing anything that I really put my heart and mind into.

Pics of my Westfalia

2010-07-25T19:00:00.000-04:00

Oh how I loved living in my Westy!

My (previous) home on the road:

Let me show you around:

It could get messy easily, but I did my best to keep everything in it's place:

Sometimes I rearranged and things looked a bit different:

When I wanted an upstairs and a breakfast nook, I just popped the top and turned my seats...

Sometimes I miss the freedom that came with traveling in my van, but I'm at the point in life where I want a more permanent homestead, a bit of land, and a place to stockpile my guns and supplies :-) My Westy days were fun and freedom-packed while they lasted.

A Police Officer's View on Vandwelling & Overnighting

2010-07-24T12:45:00.000-04:00

I have never personally had any overnight parking mis-haps or cop run-ins (knock on wood) while vandwelling, but it is always very important to use common sense, gut-instinct, and discretion when picking out a safe & stealthy place to sleep in your vehicle for the night. You don't want to make anyone scared or suspicious, and you don't want anyone to alert the police of your creepy ovenight-vehicle presence.

From reading other people's various blog-experences with police officer encounters, I have never been one to believe that most police officers are "out to get" vandwellers. If a vandweller is honest, courteous, and sincere with a police officer, I am willing to bet that they will be the same way in return. If you haven't done anything wrong, and you are just looking for a safe place to park for the night, there is no harm in admitting that to a cop.

I recently received this email from a police officer down south, and he has given me permission to share it with you. I found it to be pretty darn cool of him.

"Hey there,

I just wanted to say that I've been following your blog and enjoying it. I stumbled across it through cheaprvliving.com and have been following ever since. I really admire your sense of independence. I'm also very impressed with your "survivalism" (if you want to call it that) and your free spirit.

As I'm sure that you guessed from my email address, I am a Police Officer. I work on the night shift and have been following van dwelling online for a while.

I did want to mention (and you can share it with your vandwelling friends) that ALL cops aren't out to get you guys. It just takes common sense as to where you park. I spend a lot of my nights on patrol looking for things that are "suspicious". A cargo van in a wealthy neighborhood at 0200 hrs is suspicious. A cargo van in the back of a 24 hr store parking lot, a middle class neighborhood (where there are other vans), or a van in a parking lot with other cars isn't so much. A good tip that I havent seen mentioned is Autozone/Advance/O'rileys parts stores....if you park in the lot (in a better looking neighborhood) you shouldn't be bothered. If you are questioned about it, tell them that you are waiting for the store to open :).

The only van dweller that I've "run off" in my career was parked in a 24 hr supermarket lot. He was called in by the store employees who thought that he was "acting strange". He parked a ratty old van in the back of the store lot, and went into and out of the store several times without buying anything. The store employees go outside to smoke on breaks in the middle of the night. When they went outside they saw the "van dweller" in and out of his van several times. So they called me. When I showed up and checked him, my concern was if he was "up to no good". If he would have told me what he was doing, and gave me the standard line about "too tired to drive tonight", I would have let him sleep on the property and smoothed things over with the store employees. He didn't take that route and was confrontational with me. So I made him move along in lieu of being arrested on ordinance violations and/or trespassing. I may be different than most cops, but courtesy goes a long way with us. You have no idea how much hostility we see in a day. If you're polite to us and haven't done anything heinous, then 9x outta 10 we'll do what we can to help you out. Just food for thought.

Anyhow, if you make it down this way, look me up. The least that I can do is show you some good places to park the van. :)

Sincerely,

Brian"

How To - Start Your Own Housekeeping Business

2010-07-22T01:18:00.009-04:00

I decided to write this post and share some information in response to a question I got from a reader, although several ladies have emailed or commented with some interest in housekeeping.

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Laura Anne recently asked me, "How did you come to clean homes? Did you sign up somewhere, or just happen upon it?"
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For me personally, housekeeping is a form of self-employment that not only helps people out, but allows me to actually keep all of my hard-earned money. No one is taking any amount off the top, meaning that all money earned goes into my pockets only. I haven't been cleaning houses on my own for all that long (this is my 2nd summer), but I sure feel like I've learned a lot about it in a very short amount of time.

The beginning of last summer was when I first decided that I would try cleaning houses on my own to make a little bit of cash, because I needed money and really wanted to work for myself. I chose housekeeping because I had a little bit of hotel experience, the start-up expense was low, and I was also in a good area for it. Tourists come up here in the summer and they leave again in the fall, which is what I plan to do also.

This exactly what I did to get started. I just dove in head-first:

1. Came up with a business name

2. Paid $10 to register my business name and got my DBA (keeps anyone else from using my business name in this county for the next 5 or 10 years, can't remember which. I'll have to check my paperwork)

3. Made some really cool business cards on my computer using Microsoft Publisher (very professional looking, printed on Linen business card paper)

4. Bought a bunch of cleaning supplies (Kirby vacuum at a yard sale, mop, broom, bucket, cleaners, and rags)

5. Rounded up jobs (this was obviously the hardest part, aside from the actual work)

------------------

Actually reeling in the jobs:

In a round about way, the most important part is to get your name out there and let people know that you are cleaning! Easier said than done, right? The thing is, once you start to actually get jobs (and you do a good job), your clients will refer you to other people, and it seriously has the domino effect.

Tell everyone you know that you are cleaning houses, and start handing out your business card. If you know anyone who works on houses (handyman-style) OR in the real estate business (realtors, property-management), they can be your BEST FRIENDS when it comes to finding work. They may work for people who need a housekeeper, or they may have real estate that needs to be cleaned so that they show it to buyers. Even if you don't know any particular people in those fields, drop by a real estate office or property management company and give them your card! Tell them that you clean houses and would love to help them out if they ever need cleaning services.

The first cleaning job I got was due to an ad that I answered in the newspaper. A lady requested house-cleaning & laundry services around her summer cottage for June, July, and August. The ad also requested that her cottage be "opened up" and cleaned before her arrival, after it had been sitting for two winters. She was coming up from Texas and her previous summer housekeeper had moved away. I sent her an email saying that I had previous cleaning experience and I would love to help her out. She emailed me her phone number, so I gave her a call and tried to sound very professional & confident. We clicked really well over the phone and she liked my attitude (and thankfully didn't request cleaning references, because I didn't have any!), so she mailed me her keys & new bedding, and off I went.

Two of my other houses came to me basically by word-of-mouth, with help from a local handyman friend. He works for himself doing construction/handyman services for people on the lake, so I gave him some of my business cards to hand out to anyone who asked him if he knew of any housekeepers.

A few of my other houses were "passed along" to me from a couple different ladies I met who also did housekeeping. They wanted to give up a couple of their cleaning jobs and were thrilled to discover that I was willing to take them on. I highly recommend trying to meet some other housekeepers... Not only might they give you some of the jobs they don't want, but you also might get to pinch-hit for them on occasion, cleaning houses for them when they need a replacement. They can also cover for you or help you on a job that is too big for you to handle on your own. Just talking to people that you interact with on a daily basis will get you a long way. I met the housekeepers that I know now, simply because "someone knew someone who knew someone" that also cleaned houses.

Picking up jobs is really just going to be unique to each person. It depends on who you know, who you meet, where you happen to be, how good of a job you are doing, etc. I will say that for me, getting even one cleaning job has an extreme spiraling effect. For example:

I took over one house for another housekeeper who didn't want to clean it anymore. That lady ended up liking me and referred me to her friend whom I start cleaning for weekly. That lady ended up being the manager of a property management company, so she ended up calling me for random spot-cleaning jobs at various vacation properties. One of those jobs was at a clubhouse of a Private Club/Association on the lake. The owner of the clubhouse thought I did a great job, so he referred me to a lady who lived in a summer home nearby. When I went to start cleaning her house, a lady in a car pulled up and stopped next to me while I was getting my vacuum out of my car and asked if I was a housekeeper because she needed one! I handed her my card, but she asked for 2 of them... About 10 minutes later, a totally different lady showed up (she already had my card because the previous lady had rushed to give it to her) and asked if I could fit her into my schedule. I said I was already booked up, but I would squeeze her in after a different cleaning job on yadda-yadda date, although I was charging all new clients $25 per hour b/c I was so busy. In this case, just meeting one housekeeper spiraled into at least 7 different new clients.

Other methods of finding cleaning jobs could include hanging up a flyer with some of your business cards on the posting board at a local grocery store OR simply placing an ad on craigslist.

The actual cleaning:

Every house situation is a little different. Depending on whether or not anyone permanently lives in the house, you may or may not have to provide your own cleaning supplies. I started out just accepting ANY cleaning job I could find, which helped me to discovered that there are basically 4 types of homes to clean:

1. Residents - People who live in their house year-round, so you really get to know them and become a part of their life & home (year-round cleaning job)

2. Vacation Properties - People who only come up and live in their "extra" house occasionally, mainly during the summer (temporary cleaning job for a few months)

3. Summer Rental Properties (with fast turnover of renters, usually for a span of several months) - Just basically cleaning a house between different groups of people who are checking-in and checking-out (not many personal belongings to contend with and no human interaction). This is actually my favorite situation. I can listen to music and I don't have to clean around anybody.

4. Rental OR For-Sale Properties (usually one-time only cleaning gigs) - Just basically cleaning a house or apartment for a landlord (or real estate agent), after their tenant has moved out (lease ran out or whatever), so that they can find a new renter or they need to show the house to a potential buyer.

You can honestly clean houses for a living whether or not you want to remain stationary or be a bit more mobile. It mainly just depends on where you are located, because honestly, there are houses EVERYWHERE that need to cleaned. If you want to stay in one place for awhile and clean on a weekly basis, you need to find regular residents who live in their house year-round. If you instead wish to move around a bit more, staying stationary for only a couple months, you can clean houses seasonally for rental properties and vacation homes.
So how much to charge?

Back in highschool & college, about 10 years ago, I had cleaned for various hotels and got paid $6.50 - $8.10 per hour, with taxes taken out on top of that. I remember that my paychecks were always really small, even though I worked 40 hours per week. Doing it on your own, however, you can work way less and make way more. Simply because you set your own rate, whether it be $15/hr, $20/hr, $25/hr, or $27/hr. Do some research - Pretend to be in-need of a housekeeper and call around to find out what other housekeepers are charging (the going rate) in your area. Don't be afraid to charge what you are worth. You don't want to cut yourself short. You are providing a valuable service to people, you are driving your own vehicle, and you are providing your own supplies.

And as with ANY job (especially when working for yourself), you should be a hard worker and have a good work ethic. That means really pouring yourself into what you do and always doing the best job that you can. Going above and beyond what is expected of you. Leaving notes for the people that you clean for regularly, telling them all the things you got done OR all the extra stuff you squeezed in. If you decide to clean houses for your main job, it really helps if you have a knack for it and an eye for detail. You have to be observant and stop for a moment to just look around for cobwebs, spots on cupboards, things of that nature. You should be fairly efficient (if you are charging by the hour), friendly, on-time, and professional (don't wear skimpy clothes, etc). This is all the stuff I would tell someone if I were training them to work for me. lol. I currently don't have any helpers b/c I believe that good help is hard to find, but I sure could use someone to help me every once in a while. Working hard now will equate in more freedom later. :-)

I think that the most important thing you can do for yourself as a housekeeper is to do good work. Always complete a job that you will be proud of yourself for. Mainly b/c of what I said above about many of your jobs coming by word of mouth. People talk to other people, and if you do a really poor job of cleaning someone's house, they will definitely let their friends know. They will not recommend you to anyone. They may in-fact stop calling you or have you stop coming to clean for them.

Working for yourself is just another way to pursue your own freedom and get out of the rat race. You are your own boss and no longer have to answer to anyone who is "above" you on the ladder. You have the ability to go out and round up as much (or as little) work as you want, and you can even "fire" your clients if you want! If they complain about what you charge or are just a pain to deal with, let them go. Work for the people who appreciate you. What is that saying? 80% of your profits come from 20% of your clients? Basically get rid of any clients who are more of a hassel than they are worth.

How To - Fix a Virus-Crashed Computer

2010-07-05T21:39:00.002-04:00

Thank you to everyone who recently commented on my blog and emailed me with helpful information regarding my recent laptop virus infestation! Although it was a massive headache at the time, and an expensive lack-of-computer know-how on my part, I am now so grateful for the experience.

I am proud to say that I have gained enough knowledge from this ordeal that I was able to fix the same problem with a lady's home desktop computer today. Her computer had done the EXACT same thing that mine had. It was the same virus. Something had popped up on her screen saying it was AVG, alerting her that her computer was infected and being attacked with multiple viruses, malware, and spyware. She clicked around for a bit, making the problem worse, and nothing would work anymore. Ctrl + Alt + Delete wouldn't work, nothing would open, her old anti-virus program wouldn't do a scan (it was being blocked by the virus), and her computer was (for the moment) utterly useless.

I am so happy that I just went thru this, because I was not only able to help, but I was able get her computer all cleaned up and running smoother than it had in a while. Knowledge is power... and not necessarily even that much knowledge. In this case, I only needed a little bit. :-)

Here is what I did.

1.) Turned off her computer
2.) Turned it back on and then hit F8
3.) Selected the option to run her computer in "Safe Mode with Networking"
4.) Put my little Kingston 8 GB flash drive into one of her USB ports

** On my flashdrive were 3 programs that I had recently downloaded (I recommend downloading them and keeping them on a flash-drive in case of emergency!):
MalwareBytes
SUPERAntiSpyware
and an Anti-Virus program if you don't have one (I have Avast & the Avast license file on my flash drive. Lots of people also recommend Free AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials and ClamWin) **

5.) Clicked on "My Computer," opened the folder for my flash-drive, and clicked on the "MalwareBytes" file to install it on this lady's computer.

6.) Ran "MalwareBytes" so that it could scan the computer (while still booted in Safe Mode)

7.) It found 15 viruses, so I clicked on the option to remove them from the computer.

8.) It then promted me to re-start the computer in normal mode, so I hit ok, and the computer re-started. Everything seemed normal!

9.) I clicked on "My Computer," re-opened the folder for my flash drive, and then clicked on "SUPERAntiSpyware" to install it onto this lady's computer.

10.) Ran "SUPERAntiSpyware" so that it could scan the computer (while now booted back in regular mode)

11.) It found over 400 adware/spyware/bad stuff, so I clicked on the option to Quarantine them.

12.) It then prompted me to re-start the computer, so I did this again.

13.) This time I installed free Avast onto her computer so that she would have a current anti-virus program.

14.) Opened "Avast" and performed a full-system scan, and it found 4 more infected files, which it "Moved to the Chest."

15.) Ran into a dilemma - Internet Explorer wouldn't work (even though the Avast firewall settings seemed fine and the Charter high-speed Internet cable was hooked up correctly), so I....

16.) Opened Internet Explorer and went to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, and then clicked on "Reset" (to reset Internet Explorer's settings to their default condition). It worked! I re-opened Internet Explorer and it was now connected to the Internet.

17.) Just for kicks, I then removed a few programs that she said she never used, I peformed "Disk Cleanup" (to get unnecessary files off her computer), and then I ran the "Disk Defragmenter."

Just like new. I will never have to pay 199.99 again for this! Thank you again to everybody....

Ka-bar TDI Knife & Maratac AAA flashlight

2010-06-28T19:39:00.004-04:00

Here is a pic of the Maratac AAA flashlight, which is worn daily around my neck using a piece of paracord. That might seem strange to most people to have a little flashlight hanging around their neck, but seriously I have gotten so used to having it there, that if I go to grab it and it isn't around my neck, I feel lost! I use it every single day, whether it be for looking into dark corners when I'm housekeeping, finding my way around outside at night, looking for something inside my van in the dark, or looking down to check something out inside my vehicle engine compartment. It only takes one AAA battery and has 3 different brightness settings that can be changed with a simple twist.

My KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife... When I am conceal-carrying my Ruger LCR behind my right hip, I wear this knife behind my opposite (left) hip. Mainly as an alternative/backup form of protection, but also in case I were to ever get into a struggle and the perpetrator were trying to grab my gun. I could then hold my gun into its holster with my right hand, while using my left hand to grab my Ka-bar and defend myself... It came with a kydex sheath that makes it easy to un-holster and re-holster without cutting myself, and it is also surprisingly comfortable to wear.

You can switch it around any way that you want, so it can easily be worn IWB (in the waistband) or OWB (on the waistband). Normally I prefer IWB b/c I can easily slip my shirt right over it, allowing it conceal quite a bit better.

IWB: OWB:

I love my Ruger 10/22 !!

2010-06-25T23:34:00.003-04:00

I hardly-ever buy anything major at a gun show, but man did I luck-out at the last one I went to... I found my very own Ruger 10/22, and it was exactly like I had wanted - a beautiful hard-wood stock and a stainless barrel. BRAND-spankin' new, for $225. It is an older model (2005), so it actually has the original metal (aluminum) trigger guard, as opposed to the plastic one that comes on the current Ruger 10/22 that you will find in the store.

For those of you who don't know, the Ruger 10/22 is semi-automatic rifle that shoots .22 LR ammo. It has basically zero recoil, excellent quality, is simple to use, shoots inexpensive ammo, and is a simply gorgeous rifle (of course this is a matter of opinion, but I sure think so...) It is one of the most customizable rifles that you can buy, mainly due to its popularity - In other words, they have come out with tons of after-market modifications to change the look, improve the performance, increase the magazine capacity, etc. Don't like the stock? Switch it out to a different color or, better yet, a Butler Creek folding one. Want to go thru more ammo than the original factory 10-round magazine? Get a Hot Lips 25-round magazine or a tri-mag magazine coupler that will hook three 10-round factory mags together! There is even an entire book you can buy, all about how to Customize the Ruger 10/22.

I really do believe that it is the perfect first rifle for a beginner, but honestly they are not simply for beginners. In my opinion, everybody who owns a gun should have a .22 rifle, whether it be a pump-action, bolt-action, lever action, or semi-auto. They are all great for plinking, shooting small game, and blowing thru cheap ammo for practice. My dad actually has a Mossberg bolt-action .22 rifle that is alot of fun to shoot, and I especially love the fact that his has a peep sight (EXTREMELY accurate).

The Ruger 10/22 is my very first rifle. Since picking it up, this is what I have purchased for it:

1. soft rifle case (Mossy-Oak Infinity Break-up pattern):

2. BARSKA 4x32 22 Riflescope (silver)

3. Weaver See-Thru Scope Rings (silver) (so I can look thru the scope OR use the regular front sight)

4. Power Custom Titanium Extended Mag Release (I had trouble getting the magazine out until I got this)

5. Quake Claw Contour Rifle Sling (Mossy Oak Infinity Break-up, to match my rifle case, since girls have to color coordinate. lol)

This pic shows my set-up (scope, see-thru rings, extended mag release, and rifle sling):

6. Alangator TriMag Factory 10/22 Magazine Coupler (now I can quickly blow thru 30 rounds instead of 10, still using the original Ruger 10-round mags)

Solid-State External Hard-Drives are the Best!

2010-06-22T00:36:00.004-04:00

When it comes to backing up all my files, I've got two Cavalry Pelican Solid State external hard-drives (a 128 GB and a 64 GB), and they both work excellent. I bought them a while back after honestly having terrible luck with regular portable external hard-drives. I had two of them crash on me for no reason, and one was a Western Digital, which is supposedly an excellent brand. At the time, I had to pay someone to try and salvage whatever files they could off of them, and I lost many of my files in the process. That is why I eventually "converted" to "Solid-State" portable external hard-drives. They don't have any moving parts, making them much more reliable than regular portable hard-drives. That little tidbit was serious music to my ears and what ultimately won me over. According to wikipedia, solid state drives are "less fragile, silent, have faster start-up, have lower power consumption, have high mechanical reliability, and they have the ability to endure extreme shock, high altitude, vibration, and extremes of temperature." This is especially important to think about if you travel alot, because things inside your vehicle can go from being really hot to really cold, and they can also be exposed to all sorts of different elevations and vibrations. For these reasons (among others), storing your electronics inside a vehicle just puts them at a higher risk of mechanical failure.

Solid-state drives are still fairly new, so the price hasn't come down that much yet, but I personally think they are still worth it. The sound of a spinning external hard-drive just freaks me out. Through my past experiences, spinning = crashing. I'm never going back to an external hard-drive with moving parts. I've got too many files that I care about, which reminds me - Next I want to look into making some Faraday Cages for my electronic devices. Virus protection, EMP protection.... there is so much to be prepared for.

Trying to stay cool in my 94 degree van

2010-05-25T15:56:00.044-04:00

It has been insanely hot all week, which is extremely unusual for this time of year. It is only May, and we've recently had day after day after day of 90 degree weather. It was 92 yesterday, and as you can see on my little indoor/outdoor thermometer, it was still 94 degrees inside my van around 7pm last night. I slept with my rear hatch open and it didn't even really seem to cool down that much. Right now it is 90 out and currently hotter here than it is in Naples, Florida! I don't even remember one single day that was this hot here at ALL last summer. I'm pretty sure it didn't even get into the 70s until late June or July. I like it hot (and so do my plants), but this has been a little too hot for my liking. I've been sweating like a pig.

If all my windows stay closed during the day, my van obviously turns into a oven/sauna on wheels.

However, with all my screened windows open, it does manage to stay pretty shady and quite tolerable inside.

Yesterday, although the temps were in the 90s, I spent most of the day just laying around inside the shade of my van with a 12 volt fan running, the rear hatch open, my ceiling bubble skylight/vent cranked up, and both side windows open. Someone asked me awhile back how I stay cool inside my van during hot weather, so here are some photos of the fan & window screens that help me survive in hot weather.

This 12 volt fan works GREAT.

It is a $5 clearance Walmart item, and it clips right onto my dash:

I don't know what I would do without my rear-hatch screen. It keeps out the mosquitos, flies, wasps, and bees, along with the intense stuffy heat of a vehicle. I bought the screen from GoWesty.com, but I made the holes & installed the snaps myself. The project took me several hours a couple of years ago, but the end result was a perfect fit:

Both of my side sliding windows also have screens:

And what might someone do while they are relaxing (or hiding out) inside a hot (yet breezy) van all day? Get crafty!

The majority of my yesterday was spent laying around on my bed, sewing up a fun little padded iPhone holder for my dash. Now I have place to safely put my phone when it is plugged into the cigarette lighter to charge OR plugged into my newly installed, working TAPE DECK (woo hoo!!) to play music via my phone's iPod. My phone would previously just dangle there, slide off my dash while I was driving, or hang out down on the floor, none of which made me happy... I've already chipped my screen from when it once slid off my dash and landed onto my plastic floor console. SO.

I combined a plastic cupholder (50 cent yard-sale find) with a padded headrest cover (originally came with my matching seatcovers), and ta-da! A custom-made iPhone holder that matches the seatcovers that I love so much. I had no use for the matching headrest covers (I like to be able to see thru my headrests so that I can switch lanes easier), but I am now SO glad that I didn't throw them away. I also snapped off the top handle of that cup holder since it wasn't needed for my purpose. After wrapping the headrest cover tightly around the cupholder and sewing everything into place, I velcroed my new little phone-holder to it's new home on my dash, and I am very very happy with it.

+ =

Traveling with Firearms (Laws!!!)

2010-03-14T12:45:00.035-04:00

There are several things to take into account when traveling with guns inside your vehicle, since every state has different rules and exceptions. It can be a bit overwhelming how every state varies slightly, but that is no reason to get bent out of shape. It just means you've got to PAY ATTENTION to where you are & the route you will be driving, and you've got to become knowledgeable about the laws pertaining to those states. That last thing you want to be is an ignorant/uninformed citizen who gets thrown into jail because you cross over from New Hampshire to Massachusetts without thinking about the fact that you've got an unloaded handgun in your glovebox (legal in NH but prohibited in MA).

I HIGHLY recommend buying the current edition of "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States" because it very SIMPLY explains the carry & transport laws of firearms for every state, depending on whether you are a resident, a concealed-pistol-license holder, or a visitor. It also contains a list of Contact Agency information (addresses & phone numbers) which I recommend that you keep handy. Not only should you reference the book for the local gun laws before entering any state, but it would also be a good idea to call a local agency that can double check the CURRENT laws. It is no surprise that laws are constantly changing, often for the worse.

All of these tiny details make a big difference, depending on which state line you cross and what you intend to do there:

While in the state, are you going to leave the gun in your vehicle?

Do you want to conceal carry OR open carry in that state, outside your vehicle?

Do you have your CPL/CCW? (concealed pistol license/concealed carry weapon permit)

Are you a resident of the state where your CPL/CCW was issued?

What do you have in your vehicle: a rifle/shotgun OR handgun (or both)?

How long do you plan to stay in that state?

Are your firearms loaded or unloaded?

Are they visible in your vehicle or hidden from sight?

Where are they in your vehicle? It often makes a difference whether they are they encased, secured, and locked in your truck (or a rear compartment) OR in your glovebox OR on your person OR within reach or yourself or a passenger.

--------------------------

Now you can see how important it is to pay attention to all the little details regarding your firearms that are inside your vehicle while you are traveling . . . In one state, it might be legal for you to have both loaded rifles and handguns within reach, while in a neighboring state, handguns may not allowed in a vehicle at all while rifles may only be allowed unloaded & encased in the trunk!

Again, laws constantly change, so call local agencies for the most up-to-date info. You can also check out this site: State & Federal Firearm Laws

Be smart and be safe!

My Purse/Pocket Survival Tin

2010-03-09T21:11:00.006-05:00

Exactly why do I keep a little tin of useful survival items with me at all times?

The same reason why I keep a mini flashlight hanging around my neck, a gerber knife on my pocket, and a paracord anklet (CLICK HERE for instructions to make your own) around my sock. Just in case I need them. I like to be prepared. Not a day has gone by that I haven't used my flashlight and knife since attaching them to myself. They have proven to be incredibly useful tools on a daily basis, especially while I'm housekeeping (believe it or not).

Can such a tiny survival kit of so few items really come in handy at all? How could I survive with the stuff in a little tin?

I've already needed my little survival tin several times while I was out and about, whether it be for a bandaid, a lighter, an Ibuprofen, or some neosporin. I'm positive that I will continue to use it many more times throughout the future. You can fit a surprising amount of useful stuff into such a small container, such as fishing gear (provides food), water purification tablets or bleach (provides clean water), wilderness tools (for navigation, fire-starting, etc), and medical supplies.

You should know by now that I'm a big "research" person. I like to be extremely thorough and learn as much as I can about whatever topic interests me at that moment; therefore, when I first started getting into survival information and preparedness, I did a lot of online research, reading about bugout bags, bugout vehicles, and survival tins. When it comes to these mini "pocket" survival tins, I learned that MOST people make their kit inside an Altoid's tin (or sardine tin). Many sites actually sell a pre-made survival kit in an Altoid's tin, although I would think that most people would rather just make their own kit (cheaper and more personalized).

While I was helping to clear out an Estate last fall, I found an old metal Camel cigarette box that I figured was perfect for my personal survival-kit. It isn't very thick (so it won't hold much), but it will hold enough, and it will slide easily down right into a back pocket or purse.

There are just so many different things you can choose to put inside a little survival kit... folded duct-tape, magnifying lens, signal mirror, water purification tablets, whistle, small tinder/fire-starters, button compass, alcohol prep pad, the list goes on and on. If interested in making your own mini survival tin, these are several fun links to check out that contain lists of what some other people have put into their kits:

http://www.equipped.com/prsnlkit.htm
http://www.donrearic.com/survivalkit.html
http://www.survival.com/best.htm
http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/Pocket%20Tin%20Survival%20Kit.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~mffowler/small_complete_kit.htm
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=survival+tin&search_type=&aq=f

This is what I ultimately decided to put in mine:
(several things are secured within a plastic straw that has been sealed shut by melting it and then pressing it closed at both ends)

folded heavy-duty tinfoil
4 bandaid butterfly-closures
2 regular bandaids
3 birthday candles
safety pin
several fishing hooks
3 sinkers (secured in a plastic straw)
mini BIC lighter
dental floss (for fishing, flossing, or sewing)
mini knife
mini flashlight
2 razor blades (secured in duct tape)
neosporin (secured in a plastic straw)
2 sewing needles (secured in a plastic straw)
Clorox bleach (secured in a plastic straw)
4 Ibuprofen tablets (secured in a plastic straw)
fresnal lens, protected in pouch (for fire starting)
P-38 can opener
3 Gerber breast-milk storage bags (for holding water to purify it) (they seal shut and hold about 1 cup)

By having this little kit and knowing how to use everything in it, I just feel more prepared, no matter where I am.

** Regarding purifying water with bleach:

Only use "regular" full-strength Clorox bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (read the label). To purify one gallon of water, use 8 drops (OR 1/8 tsp) for CLEAR water, and 16 drops (OR 1/4 tsp) for CLOUDY water. My little Gerber storage bags each hold 1 cup of water, and there are 16 cups in one gallon; therefore, I only need to use 1 drop of Clorox bleach per 1 cup of water.

**Regarding fishing:

If you've got your little kit and you need to go fishing in order to eat, be sure you know how to tie your fishing knots...

http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm
http://www.myoan.net/fishingart/knots.html

My Video Review - Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB Holster

2010-03-05T11:59:00.021-05:00

A purse or a glovebox is not the best place to store a gun (easy target locations for thieves and not readily accessible), so I am a big fan of on-body carry. In the movies (and I'm sure in real-life too), some people just stick their gun into their pants, without a holster, but that is not something I want to do. I think that having a good holster is the way to go, and I personally think that investing in a high-quality holster is worth it's weight in gold, if you want to carry your gun concealed.

It seems to me that holster-selection isn't as big a deal for men, (not as picky, wear baggier clothes, and have less curves on their bodies...) but I know first-hand that it can really be hard for a woman to conceal a firearm on her body. Even if a woman has her concealed pistol license, she probably won't leave the house with her firearm if she can't figure out how to comfortably carry her gun, hidden on herself, without a major transformation of her wardrobe. This is why I really want to help share my experiences with different holster options and give other women my own opinions regarding what I've learned on my personal journey towards firearm concealabilty. After a lot of reaseach, wardrobe trial & errors, and money spent on holsters, I've finally pretty much figured out how to carry on myself at all times; and although I own a variety of holsters, the Crossbreed Supertuck is my favorite & most comfortable, as long as the pants I am wearing are not too tight. I tried just taking pictures of my Crossbreed Supertuck, but the photos weren't an accurate portrayal of the true concealabily of this holster; therefore, I have made my first video! I hope you enjoy it ~ I've never made a video before, so sorry if it doesn't meet your standards :)

The Crossbreed SuperTuck holster is an IWB (inside the waistband) holster that is extremely comfortable (you don't even notice that you're wearing it), excellent quality, and fully adjustable for different gun rakes/cants/angles. It is a "hybrid" holster, made of both Kydex and Leather. The Kydex part holds the gun very well and makes it extremely smooth to draw and easy to reholster one-handed. For the backing, I chose the horsehide leather option because it is more moisture resistant and better suited for warmer climates where one may sweat alot. The leather part goes against your skin and your shirt can then be tucked over the gun (but behind the clips), making the holster quite concealed. Only the two steel-clips show, but they are easily hidden if your belt is the same color. The two clips are positioned far enough apart that the weight of your gun is evenly distributed over a wide span. Depending on what you are wearing, you can increase concealabilty by covering up your revealed firearm with an over-shirt of some type, and you are all set. If you are ok with layering, just wear a sweater, jacket, or sleeveless vest. If you are not a fan of layering, this holster can also be concealed with a basic T-shirt.

Before I got any holsters and was first trying to position my Ruger LCR around my body in different locations, I realized that it was going to be extremely hard to conceal it. A woman's body has curves that a man's body doesn't (normally) have, and women tend to naturally wear more form-fitted clothing. I've also got a small frame and it seemed like no matter what I did, I would have a noticeable bulge somewhere on my body. Out of all my current holsters, I am just so incredibly happy with the way this one lines up against the form of my body. I wear it on my strong-side (right side), positioned directly behind my hip (between my side and my back). When I have the holster on in this location, and I look at it from all sides, it is perfectly concealed.

I think that this holster in particular is especially good for women, being as adjustable as it; I didn't know what angle/rake would work best for me until I had this holster and kept adjusting it to see what worked. I discovered that I personally need a very extreme cant (angle of the gun tilted very far foward, with the muzzle toward the rear) in order to keep the grip of the gun from poking out my shirt in a weird place. After looking around quite a bit, I discovered that it's hard to find a holster with a very extreme cant, unless it is custom made. And even if it is custom made for you, you might not know the exact degree angle that you want the gun to sit at. An adjustable holster makes it very easy to discover what the best gun cant (rake/tilt/angle) is for you personally.

Being an IWB (instead of an "on-the-waistband"), more of the holster is hidden, making it easier to wear shorter-cut shirts. Also, I personally just wear normal-fitting jeans with the SuperTuck (maybe one size up, but not necessarily). Some of my really snug pants just won't work with any IWB holster, so if you want to try an IWB, make sure you own some pants that don't naturally suffocate you. If your pants are SUPER tight, you obviously won't be able to squeeze your gun & holster inside your pants.

I will admit, the SuperTuck may not be perfect, but it sure comes incredibly close. Really trying to be critical, here are the few things I like least about it:

1. I've got a Crimson Trace laser-grip on my LCR (instead of the standard Hogue grip), and I had to trim the Kydex down a tad to get my gun to go in slightly deeper so that my trigger wasn't exposed. Fits great after trimming the Kydex though.

2. I wouldn't mind if there was just one more notch of adjustability. I'm curious about what a slightly-more extreme rake would be like.

3. The front part of the Kydex is too close to the front steel clip. The way that I have the holster adjusted for the most extreme forward rake, I can't get that steel-clip to rest perfectly upright on my belt. That front clip always sits on my belt at an angle. Works fine, it is just a cosmetic complaint on my part. If you like to wear your holster more upright ("straight-drop"/no rake), then this probably would not be an issue.

In case the CrossBreed SuperTuck seems a bit too pricey at around $70 (it is worth every penny though), maybe check out the Kholster. It looks very similar and also looks like it might be even more adjustable. Not sure though as I haven't tried it.

I really do just LOVE my Supertuck. If I could keep only one of my many holsters, this is the one I would keep. Hands down.

My Video Review:

You know, there was a day, not that many years ago, when open carry was the norm and quite widely accepted. I think it is awful that things have changed so drastically that now open-carry scares many (not all) people the way that it does. One of the many reasons that I opted for concealed-carry is simply because I don't want to make people uncomfortable at the sight of a firearm if that is something that freaks them out. I don't want to advertise that I am carrying a gun, and if someone doesn't know that I'm packin' heat, all the better. That's the whole point behind concealed carry. If you've got your CPL and are trained with your firearm, by all means, keep it on you, and keep it concealed.

Additional note (posted later) - I really don't want to make it sound like I think open carry is bad! I actually bought my shoulder holster with open carry in mind (walking on the beach, etc) for places where it is more acceptable & legal.

Hot Water!!

2010-02-24T19:10:00.038-05:00

Kate recently asked me how I heat water in my van, so this quick little post is to answer that.

Spoken like a true fellow-tea-fanatic, she said "If I can have my black tea in the morning I can live anywhere."

Glad to know I'm not the only one...

In my van, I use a lightweight GSI 1-quart teapot and a Max Burton butane stove for heating water for tea or oatmeal, cooking soup, and similar simple stuff.

The Stove: There are all sorts of portable butane stoves out there, and this is the one I just happened to pick. I just LOVE this one, although I'm sure they all work about the same. It is surprisingly lightweight and portable, and it came with a nice hard plastic case measuring 13" wide, 11.5" tall, and 4.25" thick. For fuel, the stove requires the use of generic disposable butane canisters (7.8 oz each), which can be ordered online or bought at local hardware and camping stores. You just make sure the ignition knob is turned to "Off," pop in your butane canister (notched-out section up), push down a lever to lock it in place, and then turn the dial (piezo-electric ignition). It lights just like a normal stove and it is extremely easy to use. Lets see... it comes apart easy (simple to clean), is very sturdy (made of metal & porcelain-enamel coated steel), and a butane canister really lasts for quite a while. Even if you aren't a traveler or vehicle dweller, I recommend having one of these in your home in case of emergencies.

I have read online in several places that portable butane stoves are safe to use in a vehicle, BUT I don't totally believe that and want to emphasize caution. I don't use the stove in a totally enclosed space without having windows open and some air flow, because "when oxygen is limited, burning butane can form carbon monoxide." (I stole that line from Wikipedia). Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is extremely poisonous.

The Tea-Kettle: I chose this teapot because I originally really wanted a lightweight one for backpacking, and I saw it on Two-Knives-Katie's site. She said she loved hers, and I can now agree - It is a totally cool little kettle. It's extremely lightweight (1/3 pound), since it is made of Halulite, and holds just the right amount of water (32 oz). The lid doesn't stay on the tightest (doesn't really matter I guess), and I do wish the handles weren't coated since I think they could eventually melt... but otherwise I think this is an excellent little teapot. If I didn't already have this one, though, I might try the Brunton aluminum kettle. It has excellent ratings which say that the lid fits tight, and it looks to me like the handles aren't coated with a meltable material. My kettle works GREAT though, and water boils extremely fast inside it! That is all that really matters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Totally apart from that set-up, I do have a backup stove that is mainly for backpacking. Using some online instructions, I've got a home-made little Heineken-can Penny Stove that burns denatured alcohol (easy to get anywhere). I'm not kidding when I say TINY and perfect for backpacking. I could use this in my van, too, if I were out of butane and unable to find any. For now I just keep my little penny-stove inside my bugout bag.
Since I'm on a list-kick lately, my mini BOB (bugout bag)/backpacking cookset consists of:

Snow Peak 700 titanium pot with metal lid (holds everything!!)

JetBoil plastic lid (happens to fit tightly on the Snow Peak 700 & has a slit for draining liquid or drinking out of)
dish scrub pad
Snow Peak 450 single-walled mug (can also put this right over a flame)

bandana (used as a potholder)
penny stove (in the mesh bag that came with the Snow Peak 450)

a penny for my penny stove (or for your thoughts)
homemade coat-hanger pot stand

homemade wind-screen

mesh bag that goes over the Snow Peak 700 (so I guess this technically holds everything)

ITEMS TO HAVE (for vandwelling & emergencies)

2010-02-21T19:31:00.031-05:00

Everybody's idea varies a little in terms of what they "need," so these lists are just based on my personal opinions. PLEASE comment with your own suggestions OR things that you keep in your van!! Also let me know if you want to see photos of anything.

I'm sure I will eventually remember to add more things that I had forgotten and also more specifics about certain products, so this list is an ongoing "work in progress," so to speak. I know it's very long, but I do use everything listed; If I don't use it, I lose it. I'm also an organizational nut if you haven't figured that out already, so there's an actual place for all this stuff in my van.

VanDwelling Items (What's in my Van):

Glove Box:

vehicle insurance & registration
envelope containing important AAA membership info
pen
pencil
99¢ poncho
black Sharpie permanent marker
small spiral notepad (blank)
small log-book for gas info (prices, mileage, fill-ups) & maintenance info (parts, repairs, dates)
pepper spray
swiss army knife
2 cell phone chargers (12-volt charger & regular wall charger)
iPod earbuds & cell-phone anti-radiation headseat
12-volt power inverter (I think it is 175 watts, I will have to double check)
12-volt automotive battery tester
spare fuse set
sunglasses
free napkins from fast-food restaurants
spare ignition key
spare gas-tank key
a couple spare bulbs
VW owner's manual & camper supplement guide
Bic lighter & a book of matches
tire pressure gauge

Hanging in a canvas tote, behind my driver's seat:

Rand McNally U.S. Road Atlas
local maps & pamphlets (these change frequently)
book: "2010 RVer's Friend"
book: "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the 50 States, 2010"
printout of the VW Vanagon Rescue Squad list
big lined notepad
folder containing miscellaneous papers, magazine cutouts, coupons, mail, etc.

Inside passenger-side's hanging backseat organizer:

antibacterial wet-wipes!! (always handy)
flower vase (just because it makes me happy to have fresh flowers around)
Zippo refillable butane lighter (and small bottle of butane)
pens & pencils
mini spiral notepad
compact 28-LED flashlight (bought mine from a local auto-parts store)
Petzl Zipka Plus 4-LED Headlamp (perfect for night-time reading)
fleece pouch containing my UCO Candle Lantern, along with a few spare candles

incense (Nag Champa & SuperHit) and incense burner

Inside my nylon gear hammock (easy access):

apples
journal, sketchbook, and whatever book I happen to be reading
daily planner
pajamas
roll of papertowl
box of kleenex
roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag
warm hat and pair of gloves
LED bendable lamp (free-stands or hangs)

In regards to eating/kitchen stuff:

bottle of Dawn liquid dish soap (I only buy this if I'm parked somewhere long-term with good water access)
dish scrubbie brush
kitchen towel (for drying my dishes)
collapsible 10-Liter sink
titanium spork (my favorite eating utensil)
extra silverware (2 spoons, 2 forks, 2 knives)
2 plastic plates, 2 bowls, and 2 mugs (enough for me and a guest/traveling companion)
1 really good, large kitchen knife and 2 paring knives
knife sharpener
cutting board
can opener
Max Burton Portable Butane Stove
a couple pots/pans
butane fuel canisters for my portable stove
Nalgene BPA-free water bottle (for my daily drinking water)
GSI Outdoor Halulite 1 qt. tea kettle
a couple gallon jugs of water (I re-fill these at the water machines in grocery stores)
ziplock storage bags (quart & gallon sized both come in handy)
2 plastic tupperware containers (1 small, 1 medium)
aluminum foil
non-perishable food (like oatmeal, cereal, pb, granola bars, soup...) AND green tea (essential)

In regards to sleeping/bedtime area:

blankets
sleeping bag (my Moonstone bag is rated comfortable down to 20 degrees)
Cocoon 100% silk mummy bag liner (adds 10 degrees to my bag's comfort rating)
several pillows and body pillow (for ultra comfort and the ability to prop myself up)
slippers (my feet get cold easy, sometimes the floor is wet, and I just love my slippers)
bungee-cord gear hammock (above my bed, on the ceiling, for putting my headlamp & reading material into at night)
bulletin board velcroed to the wall next to my bed, complete with pushpins & calendar

In regards to clothing:

mesh laundry bag

1 pair of flip-flops
1 pair of comfortable everyday shoes (hiking shoes, running shoes, whatever)
1 pair of waterproof overboots or rainboots
rain jacket
regular coat/jacket
hoodie (I've only got one, but I'd keep two in my van if I had two)
2 sweaters
little canister (like a xmas cookie tin) that holds my jewelry (I don't have much)
7 Eagle-Creek "Pack-It Double Cubes" in my van's closet - 3 for my bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts, dresses), 2 for my tops (tank tops, t-shirts, long-sleeves), and 2 for my bras, socks, underwear, belts (I'm always trying to downsize even more)

In regards to personal hygiene/bathroom stuff:

Lady J & Little John (bathroom female funnel w/ portable urinal)
2 towels (1 bath & 1 beach), 1 handtowel, and 2 washcloths
1 small bottle of Campsuds or Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap
first aid kit (containing bandaids, Vick's vapor inhaler, Burt's Bees Res-Q ointment, Neosporin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen-Sodium, a few gauze pads, roll of surgical tape, and various items....)
bugspray
sunscreen (50 SPF)

Listerine
daily Multi-Vitamins, supplements (Spirulina & Garlic-Oil), & some Emergen-C packets

small bottle of No-Rinse Shampoo (for emergency hair "washing")
spray bottle containing water (for quick washups and hair-wetting)
Eagle Creek Pack It Cruiser (hanging organizer for my most important toiletry items) - (VERY easy to hang on a tree if using a solar shower, and very convenient for grabbing to head into a gym, friend's house, or community swimming pool)
Inside my "Pack-It Cruiser" - tiny mirror, deodorant, comb, sharp little hair-cutting-only scissors, bottle of perfume/scented body spritzer, shampoo, conditioner, bar of pure Castile soap inside a soap container, facial scrub, hairbrush, hairpick, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, witch hazel (I poured it into a little spray jar to easily spritz my face with), facial lotion, small hand-lotion, fingernail clippers, toenail clippers, tweezers, couple boxes of contacts, eyeglasses w/ case, contact solution, contact case, OB tampons, travel-sized box of Q-tips, razor, tiny battery-operated Conair personal trimmer, Carmex lip balm, and a couple hairties

Misc. items of importance (stored under bench seat, in cupboards, in drawers, and elsewhere):

fire extinguisher (installed right on the wall behind the passenger seat)
tension curtain-rod (up near ceiling, behind front seats) (perfect for draping things over to dry OR for added privacy)
welcome mat & floor rug (from Kmart clearance)

foldable full-length lounger (used mainly at the beach) (kept behind my driver's seat)

VW repair/maintenance manuals (Bentley, Haynes, etc.)
digital camera
laptop computer, case, Ubiquiti wi-fi card, and solid-state external hard-drive
hand-crank & solar powered radio
can of WD-40
roll of duct-tape
pair of heavy-duty scissors
work gloves (for dirty van maintenance work)
a few rags
spare windshield wiper blades
spare oil filters AND oil-filter wrench

spare air filter
jack
4-way tire iron (lug wrench)
jug of Prestone coolant (phosphate-free) w/ funnel
toolbox w/ tape measure, electrical tape, various screwdrivers, allen wrenches, socket kit, hammer, pliers, superglue, etc.
velcro (for holding things down/attaching things inside my van)
a few quarts of 20W-50 oil
12-volt Typhoon-Max air compressor

12-volt fan
rear hatch bug-screen
skylight bug-screen
window shades (pop-open front shades AND accordian-style homemade side shades)
plastic Folger's coffee can, containing a roll of TP (my mini toilet)
bag of plastic bags (I save them from shopping - they can be very useful)
spare AA & AAA duracell batteries (and eneloop rechargeable AA & AAA batteries)
battery tester
Silva solar AA/AAA battery charger AND regular household Sony battery charger
several wire coat hangers (these always come in handy!)
jumper cables
heavy-duty outdoor extention cord
folding shovel
2 little tri-pod folding stools
1 bottle of "Awesome" brand spray-cleaner (from the Dollar Store)
mini broom/dustpan (from the Dollar Store, for keeping my floor swept up)
a few envelopes and stamps
metal detector & sand-scooper
handheld GPS (for geocaching)
2 gallon gas can, filled with gas (I hate running out!)
Fiamma bike rack, mountain-bike, detachable bike light, and bike lock
mini sewing kit
MSR Mini-Works EX water filter
indoor/outdoor thermometer (from Radio Shack)
4-gallon solar shower
inflatable 4' kid's pool (from Walmart, for showering inside my van)
collapsible 2-gallon bucket
a few holsters, some ammo, and range gear (shooting gloves, glasses, earplugs, boresnake, rag, Hornady One Shot gun cleaner/lube)
backpack

Hanging on the pop-top bar inside my van:

hanging clothespin clips (SO handy! gifted to me, so I have no idea where they're from)
small piece of coat-hanger, bent into an "S" hook (holds clump of bananas)
decorative homemade disco-ball (gifted to me)
windchimes (I find them to be soothing, but they annoy any of my passengers)
Solar LED lights (from Walgreens Christmas-clearance)

On top of my van, in the waterproof Pelican storage tote:

my tent & tent footprint (REI Half Dome 2 HC)
tarp
Therm-a-rest Z-lite sleeping pad (for camping)
fishing pole & tackle box

parachute-nylon travel hammock

Possibly on myself:

clothes
belt
earrings
Apple iPhone
purse - driver's license, CPL, survival-tin, and money (if I've got any!)
tiny gerber pocket knife (from Walmart)
K-Bar TDI knife
Ruger LCR
Maratac AAA flashlight (worn as a necklace)
550-Paracord anklet (homemade and gifted to me)

Still need to get for my van:

2nd battery (deep cycle marine battery)
solar panels

*As a side note, I don't want to come across as a big spender, but you can probably see that I have spent quite a bit of money (over time) on some higher-priced products. It just makes sense to me to buy the higher-quality products that will last longer than the cheap stuff from China. Better to just buy things once, instead of paying to replace them later because they either break or don't work as described.

*When first starting out, buying cheap useful things is totally fine, but here's something to keep in mind: If you move out of a rented apartment and into your vehicle, while continuing to work a full-time job, THEN you can take your previously $600 per month "rent payment" and now put it towards gear/maintenance/"housing supplies" for your vehicle. If you just keep working and putting "rent" towards your own home-on-wheels (instead of into the pockets of landlords), then you will soon have your vehicle all outfitted with everything you could possibly want and need to live comfortably.

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Possible survival things to keep in a back-up location (garage, storage unit, shed, house, friend's house, parent's basement, etc...), in case of emergency (societal collapse, national emergency, ice-storm, earthquake, zombie attack, food shortage, hurricane, short-term emergency, long-term emergency, whatever):

*Basically, just consider the simple things that we need for survival and comfort (food, water, shelter, warmth, health, companionship), and then try to keep some useful items regarding them on hand... (Obviously this is an overwhelming and expensive list to acquire, but it is very important to at least pick out what is MOST important to you and to store it someplace safe... an emergency could strike at any time, and if you aren't prepared, then what?)

canned vegetables, canned meat, wheat, oats, grains, pastas, whole corn, olive oil, peanut butter, dried milk, rice, sugar, dried beans, energy bars, ramen noodles, jerky, etc. (packaged for long-term storage & dated)
MREs or freeze-dried food (if you'd rather go that route)
vegetable/herb seeds and perhaps some gardening supplies (pitchfork, rake, shovel, trowel)
jugs of drinking water
buckets
several gas cans containing gasoline (treated with fuel-stabilizer)
clorox bleach (to purify additional drinking water)
pressure canner, canning equipment, canning jars/lids, and the "Ball Blue Book of Preserving"
distilled white vinegar, salt, baking soda, yeast
multi-vitamins and vitamin C
bars of soap
blankets, towels
a portable butane stove with some butane canisters
candles
lighters, matches, flint & steel firestarter
2-person pullsaw or chainsaw w/ some 2-cycle gas
fishing gear (pole, assorted fishing line, hooks, sinkers, good fillet knife, etc)
tools
ammunition
CB radio
hand-crank powered radio/phone charger

solar panels/solar chargers

batteries

paper

pencils
toilet paper, tampons, first aid supplies, medicine, toothpaste, saline solution, aluminum foil, storage bags, some spare pairs of eyeglasses....

you need it? you name it. add it to the list!

I don't currently have all of this stuff since I don't have a place to store it or the money required to purchase it, but, I do have some things. I've got a well-packed "Bug-Out-Bag," a little stash of canned goods, and a few other odds-n-ends.

Really, this survival-list is to get you thinking ahead and to help you maybe start planning a little for the unknown. If a major emergency ever suddenly occurred, supplies and high-demand goods would be essential to have for the short-term.... In the event of any long-term emergency, however, our own survival ultimately would depend on our skills and knowledge - to kill our own deer, catch our own fish, start our own fires, grow our own food, make our own soap, bake our own bread, find fresh drinking water, etc. A storage room filled with supplies will only last for so long, especially if they're being shared and divided up amongst many individuals.

I'm 28 years old, and I honestly believe that I will reach a day in my lifetime when some things that I have come to depend on, from society, will no longer be available (for some reason or another, either temporarily or long-term). And when that day comes, I want to be able to say 'oh well, I can just provide those things for myself.' I think the best ways to prepare for the unknown are to:

1. Start now
2. Stock up on some of the most important supplies to have (food, gasoline, water, etc.)
3. Buy some books, print some info off the Internet, and learn about how to become more self-sufficient

Bill of Rights

2010-02-16T20:23:00.004-05:00

In case anyone out there hasn't read the US Constitution in awhile, here is a refresher on our Bill of Rights. When I read thru them the other day (for the first time in a very long time) and really thought back to our forefathers, fighting for our freedoms, I was filled will all sorts of powerful feelings.

(I shouldn't need to put this definition in here, but I will anyway:)

Definition of the Bill of Rights: The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. These amendments protect individual rights against government intrusion.

The Bill of Rights:

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Third Amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Fourth Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Seventh Amendment: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Wood Stoves

2010-02-14T16:59:00.024-05:00

A WOODBURNER'S GUIDE:

Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut's only good, they say,
If for long it's laid away.
Birch and fir logs burn too fast,
Blaze up bright and do not last.
It is by the Irish said,
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.
Elm wood burns like a churchyard mold,
E ' en the very flames are cold.
Poplar gives a bitter smoke,
Fills your eyes and makes you choke.
Apple wood will scent your room
With an incense like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter cold.
But Ash wood wet or Ash wood dry,
A king shall warm his slippers by.

Girls and Guns: 101 (Part 2)

2010-02-13T23:46:00.009-05:00

I got some comments that fall directly in line with what I wanted to write about next -

Do not just go out and buy a gun unless you are ready to spend a lot of time with it. Owning a gun is a dangerous liabilty if you do not correctly know how to use it, you don't properly practice/train with it regularly, and you aren't willing to use it against another human being in a time of crisis.

It is extremely true that you cannot just carry a gun around with yourself and expect it to protect you if you haven't done extensive training with it. I will strongly agree with a reader who said "without the proper defense training, a gun at best provides a false sense of security." If you are not able to access your gun fast enough, you aren't familiar enough with it, you are a bad shot, or you fumble with your gun while struggling with a perpetrator, you might (and probably will) just get yourself (or an innocent bystander) shot.

Although you can never plan out how a certain situtation MIGHT arise, you still need to work thru different scenarios in your mind and really spend some extensive practice time at a range. You need to regularly practice shooting from different positions, unholstering your gun quickly, accuracy with an increased heart-rate, and so much more - IF you own a gun, IF you want it to help you instead of hinder you, and IF (not when) you get attacked. Chances are, most likely, that you will never end up in a life-threatening situation, but nothing is for certain. I personally don't want to take the chance of not being prepared. I want to become highly trained to protect myself and others, and I want to have fun in the process, which brings me to another point -

Being scared into the idea that you may someday need a gun to protect yourself is NOT the only reason that you should develop an interest in guns. It may be the thing that first gets you thinking about guns, but there is so much more to gun ownership than that. Our 2nd Ammendment right to bear arms is constantly in limbo of being taken away from us, not to mention that shooting guns can just be a lot of fun. There are lots of sport-shooting events, programs, and competitions out there. Lots of marksmanship training courses to be apart of. Lots of ranges and gun clubs to join. Lots of major gun shows to attend. Lots of products to check out. Lots of gun magazines to read thru. Not to mention, if you have a gun, you can go out into the woods and shoot yourself a meal if you're hungry and desperate for food.

Ok, someone asked me about my shooting experience, so I guess I'll move onto that.

Once I became interested in guns, I did alot of online research, reading about different rifles and handguns. I mainly wanted to figure out which ones wouldn't have much recoil and would be good for just starting out. I then got a membership at the local gun club and began trying out different rifles that people had at the range. I shot a lever-action 30-30, pump-action 22 magnum, bolt-action 243, semi-auto 223, and a Ruger 10/22. I haven't shot a muzzle-loader, yet, or a shotgun, although I'm sure I will soon enough. As for handguns, I've shot quite a few. I've got my concealed pistol license and personally own a Smith & Wesson Model 63 (22 revolver) and a Ruger LCR (lightweight carry revolver) (38 special). The 38 special is my concealed carry pistol, and my 22 is just a kit-gun for field use/plinking/target practice. I've also put several rounds through a Ruger SP 101 (using 38 and 357 magnum ammunition), a Sig Mosquito 22 automatic, a Springfield XDM 40 (40 caliber automatic), a Springfield XDM 9 (9mm automatic), a Glock 17 (9mm automatic) and a Smith & Wesson 38 revolver.

In terms of comfort, weight, grip, and recoil, here are my favorites so far:

Rifles: The Ruger 10/22 (shoots 22LR ammo) is my top pick, followed by the Ruger Mini-14 (shoots 223 ammo) and the Savage 243.

Handguns: I love both my LCR and Smith & Wesson Model 63. The recoil with my LCR can be a little rough, but I just love how lightweight it is for everyday carry. I don't own the Springfield XDM 9 or the Springfield XDM 40, but they were both very comfortable to shoot. I wouldn't mind owning a Springfield XDM 9 (20 capacity! 19 + 1 in the chamber). I would also really love to try a Springfield EMP. Anyone have any experience with one of those?

Training: I head to gun ranges alot, in fact I just went to a new one today that was indoors and had different automatic moving targets to shoot at. Fun fun fun. Practice practice practice :) Training isn't a chore, it is a fun thing to do. Especially when you are out in the woods, plinking with your friends, on a warm, sunny, afternoon. As long as you know what is beyond your target and you have a good backstop, shooting at bottlecaps, milkjugs, and popcans make for excellent practice. I also took an NRA home-defense course, with range time, in order to get my CPL; I will talk about that in a different post regarding concealed carry and getting your concealed pistol license.

Girls and Guns: 101

2010-02-13T00:20:00.021-05:00

I think it is safe to say that a lot of men know the basics about guns, while most women don't. Things like recognizing different gun models, knowing which types of bullets are best for what situations, and understanding the power behind different gun calibers are just not what most women know best. I'm not really sure, but I think that most men are just naturally interested in guns, and perhaps society has lead women to believe that guns belong in a man's world. Either way, I think that needs to change. Women need to become equals and educated when it comes to something powerful enough to either take your life or save your life.

When it comes to guns, a girl has to start somewhere.

I, personally, was not naturally interested in guns. It took a masculine influence to get me curious about them, and even then, they really made me nervous and uncomfortable at first. I didn't want to contemplate the possibility of ever having to shoot anyone, and I didn't know enough about a gun to even hold one without feeling intimidated. The sound, the shock, the power behind them, and the pain and destruction they can cause ... guns aren't something to treat lightly. They are something to be treated with utmost respect, safety, and care. I will say that a strong part of me always wanted to be comfortable with idea of using guns and becoming familiar with them, but I still didn't ever want to shoot one until I had mentally prepared myself.

Mental prep:

Guns do not kill people.
People kill people.
And if a bad person is going to use a gun, then good people need to have them in order to defend themselves.
In a situation where someone might want to take my life, I would want to be able to have a chance and the ability to stop that person.
In a situation where I had fear of imminent death, serious bodily harm, or sexual assault, I would want to have control.
I would want to live.
I would want the innocent person in danger to live.
I would want to be prepared.

I'm not that tall, I look quite young, and I guess I will admit that I'm not the toughest cookie on the planet; far from it. So in my eyes, if a huge man were coming at me with the intent to seriously hurt me, a gun would at least give me an equalizer and a chance to survive.

That is how I decided that I was finally ready to shoot a gun for the first time, and so began my interest in firearms. I wanted to learn how to recognize a serious threat and how to defend myself in that threatening situation. No one knows if and when they will ever be in a life threatening situation. I do know that I would rather have a gun and never need it, than to need a gun and not have one.

to be continued....

Law of 3

2009-09-27T10:21:00.005-04:00

You can die in:

3 seconds without thinking
3 minutes without breathing
3 hours without warmth
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
3 months without hope

This was recently shared with me, and I would like to share it with you.
All we really need to survive are such simple things, and those simple things are so vitally important.